Report Highlights How Florida Sets the Gold Standard in Long Term Care

Sunshine State Nursing Centers Outperform National Averages on Quality and Staffing

Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida nursing centers are demonstrating gold standard resident care, according to a report from the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA). The report includes federal data on key quality measures of resident outcomes, staffing stability, and national rankings, reaffirming that Florida nursing centers are consistently among the best in the nation.

“Florida is the gold standard in long term care because of the dedicated caregivers, providers, and policymakers who put residents first. Our nursing centers outperform the nation on the quality measures that matter most to residents and their families, including quality of care, staffing, and resident outcomes,” said Emmett Reed, CEO of FHCA. “Ongoing, stable funding and achieving Medicaid rates that strengthen quality care will be key to building on this momentum. We look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure Florida's culture of excellence continues to grow in the years to come.”

View an overview of Florida’s long term care metrics here.

Outperforming the Nation on Resident Outcomes
Florida’s nursing centers care for nearly 71,000 seniors who have complex medical needs. The state’s skilled nursing centers consistently outperform national averages on indicators reflecting resident well-being.

More long-stay residents in Florida improve in daily functioning and receive the flu vaccine, while fewer experience falls, show signs of depression, or receive unnecessary antipsychotic medications.
More short-stay residents also make gains in daily functioning during their rehabilitation stays. This is a reflection of the highly trained, consistent teams delivering care across the state.

Stronger Workforce, Stronger Care
Florida nursing centers have strengthened workforce stability. Reliance on contract or “agency” staffing, a leading indicator of facilities under stress, has fallen sharply in recent years. From 2021 through 2025, agency staffing in Florida nursing centers dropped from 9.7% to 1.2%. Total nurse turnover rates are also down 12.7% in nursing centers.

Workforce strength is reflected across every direct-care role. From 2022 to 2025:

• Licensed Practical Nurse agency staffing fell from 15.19% in 2022 to 2.3%.
• Registered Nurse agency staffing fell from 8.44% to 1.73%.
• Certified Nursing Assistant agency staffing dropped from 8.07% to 1.14%.

Florida nursing centers also remain above the national median on both registered nurse staffing and total nurse staffing.

National Recognition for a Culture of Excellence
Florida’s commitment to quality is reflected in record-level participation in national recognition programs. More than 75% of Florida’s nursing centers hold a CMS 4- or 5-Star Quality Measures rating, and 90% hold one or more quality recognitions. Additionally:

• 167 long term care centers hold the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) Bronze National Quality Award status.
• 51 long term care centers earned the (AHCA/NCAL) Silver National Quality Awards, the second highest of any state in the nation.
• Three long term care centers hold the top (AHCA/NCAL) Gold National Quality Award.

Statewide, 560 centers also hold Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation, a federally recognized performance standard that reflects a voluntary commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

This report underscores the importance of a shared commitment of FHCA member centers, dedicated professionals, and policymakers to delivering quality, resident-centered care for Florida families.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2026

PRESS CONTACT:
Kristen Knapp, APR
850-510-4389 or kknapp@fhca.org